Villages in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord are a crucial part of your economy, providing food, recruits, and valuable trade goods. Leaving them unprotected can lead to frequent raids, economic decline, and a loss of strategic influence in your region. Securing your villages requires a mix of preparation, strategic positioning, and active defence.
Maintain Strong Garrisons in Nearby Castles and Towns
Your first line of defence is ensuring that any settlement close to your villages has a well-sized and well-trained garrison. Raiders will think twice before attacking if they know reinforcements are close. A castle positioned centrally between several villages can act as a deterrent and allow for quick responses to raids.
Patrol the Surrounding Area
Active patrolling keeps enemy parties away from your territory. Assign companions to lead small patrol forces, or personally ride through your lands between campaigns. The presence of armed forces on the map discourages raiding and can intercept attackers before they reach your villages.
Recruit and Train Elite Troops
Having fast and powerful cavalry units can make the difference between catching a raiding party and arriving too late. Prioritise troops that can quickly intercept small to medium enemy forces. Upgrading to top-tier units not only improves your combat effectiveness but also deters weaker enemies from attempting a raid in the first place.
Use Diplomacy to Reduce Threats
Sometimes the most effective way to protect villages is to avoid unnecessary wars. Keep relations positive with nearby factions, especially those with territory close to your villages. Strategic alliances, or at least neutrality, will lessen the number of enemies targeting your settlements.
Respond Quickly to Raids
Speed is critical once a raid starts. If an enemy force is already attacking, your goal is to reach the village before the raid completes. Keep your army well-supplied and avoid being slowed down by excess prisoners or trade goods so you can move quickly across the map.
Station Companions as Governors
Assigning capable companions as governors to nearby towns and castles can indirectly protect villages. Governors improve garrison efficiency, boost loyalty, and keep settlements in good order, making your defensive network stronger.
Upgrade the Villages Over Time
While upgrades do not directly prevent raids, improved village prosperity means greater recovery speed after an attack. Investing in projects that increase production and stability will reduce the long-term impact of any successful raid.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Protecting villages in Bannerlord is about balance. You need to maintain a strong local military presence, respond rapidly to threats, and use diplomacy to minimise danger. A neglected village is an easy target, but with careful planning, you can keep your economy and recruitment base secure while focusing on expanding your power.
